The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-06-18

Part OF "A Lecture BY THO. u. CoNsroCR iro-
fessor of Mining Engineering, University Oh IL
LIMOS, Champaign.
By REFER NJ 10 the geological map OF IL
LIMOS, and by studying the known iacts rs
shown by bOrings, both successful anu uh-
successful, in connection with the structure
of the state rs heretofore determined by
DIR Worthen, | think | shall be able to
show tina, we do possess In Illinois lar
supply of natural gas and modicum OF
oil, and that almost underneath our feet
there Is mine which ere many years VIII
he utilized rs a better source of heat than
what we are now using My conclusion,
here for the first time publicly announced,
is the outcome Of much study, and 1t Is not
in accord with preconceived ideas. l have
had little faith in any permanent or deep
seated supply, and have always sought 10
check enthusiasm upon this point Dut
had formed my opinions originally upon
what, must confess, was very SUPERFICIAL
knowledge of Illinois geology. A residence
of nearly two years within liz borders. EN-
gagged In IA pursuit which has brought me
face to face with these problems In their
practical aspects, has made "A radical change
In my views
Perhaps the facts may not be too famll-
far to you all, and they may here be briefly
rehearsed. Referring 10 the geological
map of Illinois prepared by DIR. Worthen,
YOU will observe several lines Of OutcrOp
across the state, which indicate the axes OF
low anticlinals, although some familiarity
with the geology OF the region Is necessary
ia order to clearly understand the signil1-
canoe OF the trends. The everything drift
deposits have very much obscured The su-
perstructure and we cannot affirm that our
knowledge Is by any means accurate. In
til all the scattered records of borings have
been collected and much more field work
has been done, based upon strictly accurate
typographical surveys, we shall be at loss
how to define the real boundaries of our
gas belts. But enough is known 10 make
a general estimate OF the character and po-
sitiOn of the more prominent areas.
Starting at the southeast corner Of the
state, and passing nCrthward, we soon come
upon the eliminating point of a prom inent
axis, watch crosses the Ohio river near
Shawneetown and the Mississippi near
Bald Bluff, in Jackson county. Along this
line In Jackson, Williamson, Saline and
Gallatin countless the conditions for the
production of oil and gas were prevalent,
but the lower strata have been tilted so
much, and thus exposed, that the prospects
of discovering valuable deposits of this ma.
ture are not very great northward In Frank
lin, Hamilton, White and Perry counties,
the chances would seem to be better,
unless deep bOrings shall reveal condi-
ton OF things not suspected. In all this re.
gion salt springs are rather common, and
there Is much reason to hope that thorough
exploration will yield favorable results In
gas, although the statement must not be re-
garded as certain In the absence Of clear
insight into the geological structure. So
far as can be judged from our present
knowledge, there is not very promising
outlook for the next two or three tiers OF
counties northward, unless II be In wells of
very great depth, but there seems to be an.
other axis, approximately parallel (bu,
probably turning farther n0rthward at It's
eastern end, which passes across the couu
try between Alton and Terre Haute In a
course not yet fully determined We mus,
not commit ourselves too rigidly Ia this no
ton, for the facts are quite limited upon
which II Is based But we have evidence
Of another prominent axis, presumably oc
cupied by fault, extending from the
northwestern corner of Illinois In "A yer,
direct line southeast, passing not far from
the towns of La Sale, Urbana and Paris
crossing the Indiana line little south wes'
OF Terre Hsute. North of La Sale, the
rocks which might supply the oil or ga,
are generally too near the surface To pre-
sent the proper conditions for accunula
ton, but all over the area southwark tn,
evidence OF valuable dep sits of this natur,
are abundant.
Other uplifts, more or less colnciden, II
direction with those we have outlined. ar,
evident along the northern and western
borders of the state. In none of them
however, are the conditions favorable. TO
reasons which will be readily apparent up
on sn examination Of DR.. WOrthen's man
Regardless of actual discoveries, from pe
illogical considerations alone, 1t may be a.
serted that important re 'ervoirs Of liqui,